Small car, big fun | Six of the Best
Carmakers have failed the fast supermini recently - thank goodness for the back catalogue
Mini JCW GP, 2006, 60k, PH Auction
While the attraction of most pocket rockets shouldn’t need too much explaining (because lots of engine and not very much car nearly always guarantees a good time), their appeal has come under the spotlight recently with such a dearth of new options. Gone are the days of every manufacturer offering a souped-up supermini to young and old alike; these days, for better or for worse, you’ll do well to get an engine and a manual gearbox. Even Mini, for so much of the 21st century a go-to for small, fast, frantic fun, can only now offer the Cooper S with a DCT. Easy, then, to seek solace with something like this, one of the original John Cooper Works GPs. For many, the first of three such two-seat Minis remains the best, with a thrilling supercharged engine, impish agility and pert good looks. The market agrees, with values holding strong after almost 20 years. This one’s a beaut, with just 60,000 miles, four owners, and fresh from professional storage. Bidding kicks off in January…
Audi S1, 2016, 55k, £14,990
Precious little demonstrates just how much things have changed in the past decade than the Audi S1. In its current lineup, Audi can’t justify an R8, the latest S6 is electric, and both RS wagons aren’t long for this world in their current format. Yet as recently as 2014, Audi saw fit to launch a manual-only, 231hp, 2.0-litre turbo A1, ready to beat the Mini JCW at its own game. The S1 did a fine job of that job, too, with an independent rear suspension setup denied to lesser models - and previewed on the very cool A1 quattro - plus a sense of fun we never thought would make it to the smallest Audi S car. Its reputation as one of the good ’uns has secured solid residuals as well, with £10k still needed for the highest mileage S1s. Yellow was too good to ignore for this one; £15k buys a five-door with just over 50,000 miles.
Ford Fiesta ST200, 2016, 58k, £12,995
The archetypal super supermini for many, it’s easy to forget these days that fast Fiestas weren’t always that great. Often affordable, sure, and sometimes fast, though not always all that to drive. That all changed in 2013 with the introduction of the first turbocharged ST; across two generations and 10 years from then, there wasn’t much better on three wheels for quick, cheap, durable, practical entertainment. There were Mountune upgrades for those needing more speed, five doors from 2017 for those needing more utility, and some useful options from factory for those needing more pizzazz. The ST200 was the ultimate 1.6-litre Fiesta, with the Mountune 215hp pack as standard, plus revised ratios to make the most of it. All of these STs are an absolute riot, truth be told, about as much fun out there for the money, but there’s something extra special about the best of the best. With one owner and a full Ford history, there won’t be many better.
Abarth 595 Competizione, 2021, 26k, £15,500
Imagine a world without the Fiat 500. For 17 years it sold and sold and sold, almost singlehandedly keeping Fiat going during some tough times. The fact that the EV so closely mimics the 500’s style, and the hybrid retains so many of the fundamentals, demonstrates how perfectly retro style and modern convenience were combined. The 500 also spawned, of course, one of this century’s cult classic hatches: the Abarth 595. Once known as the 500. And which evolved into the 695. There were too many to keep track of, really, because the people just couldn’t get enough. Having launched in 2008, there are early 500s available for significantly less than £5,000, all the way up to beyond £30k for optioned-up Bipostos. This 2021 Competizione gets the full 180hp from the characterful 1.4 turbo, and looks fantastic in Abarth Red. It doesn’t seem far off new, in fact - a lot of giggles for £15k.
Hyundai i20 N, 2022, 17k, £22,690
Better to have loved and lost, than never to have loved at all. The saying most definitely applied to the i20 N; it was an even better-resolved product than the i30 that had announced Hyundai to the hot hatch world in no uncertain terms, if not quite perfect thanks to a gruff engine and so-so steering. But just as we were getting to know and love it properly, thanks to its performance, value and ability, Hyundai pulled the plug. Not just on the i20, either, before it even had a chance to get a mid-life update, but combustion-powered N cars completely. While the Ioniq 5 has softened that blow to some extent, it’s not far off triple the price that an i20 commanded. It’s not so much a different ballpark as a different game entirely - making the smallest, cheapest N very much missed. This one-owner car is nicely run-in for its next driver, and is still under warranty until 2027.
Renaultsport Clio 182 Cup, 2005, 119k, PH Auction
Obviously a list of top-tier pocket rockets wouldn’t be complete without a French representative, and we’ve just the thing from the PH Auction listings. For every single year that there was a 2.0-litre Clio on sale, all the way back to the Williams really, it had been among the most rewarding, most engaging, most thrilling hot hatches out there. For many, the 172/182 era is still a high point of the Clio’s illustrious career, thanks to that brawny 2.0-litre and willing, excitable chassis. Helped that it looked ab fab, too. Numbers have inevitably dwindled over the years, with the last 182s made almost 20 years ago and many sacrificed at the altar of the track day gods, so this 182 Cup looks like a real find. It comes in a great colour, with a tonne of history to support its mileage. Old-school cool has never looked quite so appealing.
I ran an S1 for 2.5 years. They are brilliant.
Strong engine and handled great. Small enough to place it wherever you like on the road and it just grips!
With just a map they jump to 330bhp too (although a clutch upgrade is recommended at that point).
I'm biased as I used to have one, but rumours at the time of the launch suggested that the same engineers who worked on the M3 CSL had then worked on the GP, earning it the nickname the junior/baby CSL.
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